The transfer is bright and colorful, with minimal grain. The black level is perfectly calibrated, and flesh tones are full. The Shawscope image features some impressive period photography, with lush production design. The DVD transfer capably handles the cinematography with impeccable detail. The opening credit sequence features Gordon Liu practicing his techniques by chopping at falling pillars of water, swinging a butterfly sword, and using a staff. This surreal sequence takes place on an obvious sound stage while Gordon Liu is bathed in first red then blue lights (think trippy James Bond opening).

The DVD menus have impressive graphic design and easy navigation. There is a Special Features menu, but the only extra there is a documentary on a real Shaolin priest, Sifu Shi Yan Ming. We see footage of him sparring by himself on a mountaintop, and then training American students in the temple. Then the documentary switches to interview footage. The discussion is about Kung Fu movies, and he reveals that the first Kung Fu movie he ever saw was Jet Li’s SHAOLIN TEMPLE in 1984 (the Sifu looks like is about 30 and not really familiar with old-school). He says he watches the movies for their historical significance and philosophical values, and not for the fights (yeah, right). The interviewer asks if he prefers old-school Kung Fu flicks to the cable-fu fests of recent times. He responds that he likes them both, but it seems to me that he’s not into them at all, and is probably saying that to get exposure. This documentary is full frame, mono, and runs 10:10.